Gun Violence: A Public Health Crisis The Role Physicians can Play in Keeping Communities Safe

Abstract

Gun violence is a public health crisis in the United States. Research shows that violence functions similarly to a communicable disease. An exposure such as someone witnessing violence or being a victim of violence is a major risk factor to the exposed person becoming a perpetrator of violence themselves. Victims of gun violence are seen in emergency rooms at alarming rates and despite gun related deaths increasing over the past few decades, there is not a significant quantity of research on violence intervention. As physicians are key players in individual and community health, they have an ethical imperative to intervene. Both doctors and patients believe that physicians can play a role in addressing gun safety and risk of firearm injury. Gun violence interventions by physicians can be either preventative, working to avoid an initial firearm related injury, or interventional, working to avert additional firearm related injuries. Outpatient clinical attempts to prevent firearm injury can be modeled after pre-established methods like bicycle helmet safety screening. Inpatient or post injury methods include more comprehensive approaches that focus on breaking the cycle of violence and preventing reinjury. Gun violence is a public health crisis that requires physician action.